Camps and Youth Sports to Reopen Throughout Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement this morning that effective immediately, state officials will end restrictions on youth activities, which includes summer camps and youth sports in Florida.

He said while the state is lifting restrictions, local governments can make their own restrictions, if they desire.

Distance learning was initially put in place, the governor said, because it was believed children could spread the disease to others.

"I think what we've seen is that is not how it's working out now," he said. "Kids are not immune from this. Some kids have been infected and some kids have been critically ill. There have been some, not a lot, in the United States that have died."

DeSantis also reiterated that no one under the age of 25 in Florida has died from the novel coronavirus.

“At the end of the day," he explained, "we trust parents to be able to make decisions in conjunction with physicians and community leaders and coaches to be able to do these activities in a way that is safe."

The Florida Department of Health may issue some of its own guidelines for youth activities.

The decision comes as Florida began reporting cases of a child illness linked to COVID-19. This week, the state's surgeon general said there have been two confirmed cases.

"I think it's something parents should consider," DeSantis said according to reporting from Fox13. "It is extremely rare. I think people can take a look at that and make a decision that is best for them."